Parliamentary Changes Following Iram Lewis’ Move To COI

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Iram Lewis’ decision to drop the Free National Movement (FNM) and now join the Coalition of Independents could change the dynamic of parliamentary proceedings. Parliamentary chief clerk, David Forbes, says the seating will now change.

David Forbes – Chief Clerk, House of Assembly:
“Rather than having just the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the FNM, now you have three parties represented in the House of Assembly. So where will he be sitting now? He will be sitting on the back seat, the extreme back.”

On Wednesday, Lewis delivered the shocking news that he is resigning from the FNM and joining the Coalition of Independents, becoming their first Member of Parliament (MP).

Before his switch, Lewis sat in the front row with other FNM MPs. When asked why the transition, Lewis cited a divided party and uncertainty surrounding his nomination in the upcoming general election. Now representing a third party, Lewis will have to be consulted on decisions.

David Forbes – Chief Clerk, House of Assembly:
“The government leader, in order to help with the efficient functioning of the parliament and the conduct of business, will consult with the leader of the opposition business. Now he has to consult with two persons rather than just one person, because the leader of the opposition business, Mr. Adrian White, can no longer speak for Mr. Iram Lewis. Iram Lewis represents a third force that will speak for himself and the Coalition of Independents.”

David Forbes – Chief Clerk, House of Assembly:
“There is one where the opposition forces have the majority of votes. That is the fourth public accounts committee. That is the only one where the opposition has the majority of votes and usually gets to write the report. What you have now, you have two opposition forces in there, so they have to share those three seats, and if that’s the case, the dynamics change a little bit.”